Mets’ Edwin Diaz ejected for sticky stuff against Cubs

Mets closer Edwin Diaz was ejected on Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs following a routine sticky stuff inspection in the ninth inning.

Diaz and manager Carlos Mendoza were arguing their case to crew chief Vic Carapazza, but the ejection stood.

He could face an automatic 10-game suspension for the violation.

After the game, Mendoza explained what happened to reporters.

“They thought it was too much. Diaz kept saying it was rosin, sweat, and dirt. They thought he crossed the line there. Obviously the rules are the rules and they made the decision to throw him out,” Mendoza said.

“Vic said, ‘That’s a little too much and I got to do my job.’ And that was all to it.”

When asked if he stands by the call, Mendoza acknowledged the rule is in place for a reason.

“Well obviously, the rules are the rules you know. And the MLB is doing what they’re doing because they have really good reasons, and we have to stand by. And obviously Diaz went over. We’ll feel it because we’re going to play short now. We got to move on and obviously we’ve got to stick to the rules here.”

With the suspension for Diaz looming, the manager believes the team will make it through the adversity.

“Yeah, look, we’ve been through a lot this year, and we’ll find a way to get through it,” Mendoza said. “We’ll continue to piece it together. Guys are going to have to step up. I’m pretty confident that we’ll get guys here that are going to get us to the finish line here when he’s done.”